Category: Blog

Over the last 15 years or so, social media has grown tremendously. It allows us to stay in touch with family and friends that have moved away, and is also a great source for news. While social media obviously has its uses as a free service for one’s private life, it had to find a way to make money to grow. Businesses stepped in to capitalize on where everyone was spending so much time online. While large corporations that are easily recognized eagerly joined everyone on social media, smaller businesses were slow to seize social media’s impressive reach to new audiences. If you own a business and have yet to utilize any of the social media platforms available at your disposal, then it’s time to get started. Here we’ll discuss with you the advantages of social media for your business that will have you wanting to create accounts for your business as soon as possible.

Quick, Easy Communication

Social media provides you with the opportunity to connect to customers in a quick, easy manner. You can read reviews left by customers and can respond to them accordingly. Direct messaging on social platforms is now one of the primary ways customers reach out to businesses with questions and feedback. It is faster now than it has ever been to contact the right people, and most of the time you don’t even have to pick up the phone. As a business owner, social media gives you the ability to stay in contact with your consumers and receive feedback in real time.

Increases Website Traffic

Utilizing social media channels will also show an increase in website traffic. You can direct visitors on your social media pages to your website by posting your URL wherever you please on your profile and posts. Most social platforms also provide you with Insights on your posts’ reach and audience. Businesses are able to attract a visitor’s attention with posts and can capitalize on a captive audience by insisting on learning more by visiting the full company website, a crucial step in converting users into customers or clients. Let’s say you own a boutique with a brick-and-mortar location. Those local to your area know about the business because they have seen it, but having a social media presence allows you the ability to reach audiences all over through social platforms’ recommendation algorithms, putting your message on a completely new target audience’s news feeds. When done correctly, this should allow for an increase in sales on top of your improved website traffic.

Brand Awareness

Social media is an extremely cost-efficient form of digital marketing that can increase your business’s visibility. By adding a social media strategy to your overall marketing plan, it should increase your brand’s awareness because you are able to engage with a larger audience. It’s important to interact with others when starting your profiles. Ask friends, employees, business partners and any sponsors to share your pages and posts to increase the audience you reach. Facebook, for example, also gives businesses a leg up with their Pages You May Like recommendation tool, where pages of similar topics and mutual interests are displayed for those looking for new follows or friends. Also, boosting your posts can dramatically increase your brand’s reach and improving your brand’s awareness for a price you determine based on your company’s resources and needs. With just a few minutes of exploring a social media platform, you should be able to find the right avenue for spreading the word about your business.

If you need help with promotions or advertising, contact Southern View Media to find out how we can help with your business’s marketing goals. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at (251) 551-0246 or visit www.SouthernViewMedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

You’ve spent a lot of work, time and money creating a website for your business that most likely includes a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. This approach includes optimizing pages and keywords that include terms used by your target audience. SEO is a method that can help improve your rank on Google and help drive traffic to your website. In the following, we will discuss how well these efforts are paying off.

Go Incognito

Searching for words on Google to optimize and gauge where your site shows up is not only time consuming but counterproductive. Mostly because Google personalizes a user’s search results based on factors such as history, location, social media connections and even the type of device. Using incognito mode on Google will keep your browser from storing info and using past info in your search results. Just keep in mind, it arranges results based on your physical location.

Use Google’s Search Console

Google makes it pretty easy to track your rankings by providing a service called Google Search Console (previously known as Google Webmaster Tools). Set up your Search Console profile through your Google account if you have not already done so. Now, you can view your Performance Report dashboard which provides handy organic ranking information such as:

• The results from search queries
• The number of clicks your page received
• Average location placement for a certain search or page
• Metric trends over time

However, if you have not set up the Search Console before creating your website you will not be able to view recent ranking data. Once you set up the account, you will need to verify your website.

Monitor Keyword Rankings in Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a great tool when used in combination with Google Search Console. Both can help you retrieve the data you need to better streamline your SEO tactic. Start by connecting your Google Analytics and Search Console accounts after setting them up. After following a few steps, you can enable the data in Search Console into the Google Analytics page. Add your page to the Search Console and follow a few more steps. From there you will be able to see the live data and keyword rankings in Google Analytics. By using analytics you be able to track the keywords that directed people to your page. This will give you a good idea of what parts of the page need optimizing.

Refine and Rework Marketing and SEO Methods

It takes time for your page to appear in queries and receive hits so you must check your rank often. If you feel you are not receiving the results of your efforts, you made to change things up a bit. People’s search habits can change daily and it’s important to keep up with trending words.

Know where you rank among the millions of websites on Google. By using SEO successfully and monitoring your rank data, you will have no problem standing out among the crowd.

Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605.

Do you want more leads? Sure, we all do! Today, people are using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for more than just gaining a bigger audience. Business owners are turning those followers into actual sales leads. But how does this work and where do you start? Find out about the many benefits of using SEO.

Get to Know Your Customer

Researching more about your past customers will give you a better perspective on your audience. The more trends you see among buyers will allow you to target potential customers with similar interests. Once you have a clear idea of who is spending money with you, you can now develop an SEO plan. This targeted approach may leave some audience members out but the main goal is to get in front of potential customers.

Update Your Content

Now that you know your audience, it’s important to update your content to make sure it efficiently targets your followers. If you have a web page or blog post that is generating activity, consider looking at ways to update it regularly with new, beneficial content. Add a Call-to-Action (CTA) to your posts with your contact information. It should also have a clear message about your goods and services. Another benefit is that your page will populate and rank higher in Google searches if it updated regularly.

Getting the Lead

Now that you know your audience and have sparked their interest, how do you get them to reach out to you? Here’s where creativity comes into play! You can offer free resources through an exchange of their email or some other form of contact information. Resources can include: subscribing to a blog, a list of local events, helpful tips and tricks, a special report about a topic or offer to send an eBook. The door is open for you to be as creative as you want.

Get Social

Interacting with your followers on social media is another way to gain the interest of a lead. There is a multitude of ways to network in the social space: directly messaging on Instagram or Facebook, using Instagram live and Facebook live and engaging with customers by answering questions in the comment section. Remember the Call-to-Action we talked about? Here is where you could suggest a way for people to reach out to you. Due to social media having an abundance of users, it makes it an easier option for followers to reach out to you.

The benefits of using SEO for your business keep getting better and better. Use SEO to your company’s advantage by following these helpful tips. Contact Southern View Media for more ways SEO can get you the leads you need.

Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605.

So, you have probably heard the term SEO tossed around when it comes to digital marketing. SEO, also known as search engine optimization, is constantly changing. Keeping up with the latest SEO trends is absolutely vital when it comes to staying ahead of the game. It’s important to analyze, revise, change and adapt to each change that presents itself in this ever-changing field of digital marketing. If you are wondering what’s in store for 2019 SEO trends, Southern View Media has you covered.

Meta Description

You have probably noticed the featured snippets of information when you are searching a topic in Google. When you type in a simple question or phrase, you may not even have to open the web page because the result is displayed at the top of the results. These little snippets, called meta descriptions, are vital to have on your website so they are can be optimized for a search engine result. Marking up your content will help let Google know what is on your site and help search engines display your business in search results.

Optimized Mobile Pages

A majority of people you see browsing the internet are usually doing it on their mobile phone. If your website isn’t loading quickly on a mobile device, it’s probably onto the next one for them. Optimized mobile pages help make your website as fast as possible. However, it’s important to remain mindful of the fact that AMP can strip image content from your pages so your website may not be able to use it. Have the team at Southern View Media check out your site and let you know the best route to take.

Content is EVERYTHING

This is a trend that will probably never go away. Content is, and always will be, king. If you don’t have good content, then you will probably be lost down the rabbit hole in the search engines. Make sure your content is in-depth and helpful to those who visit your website. Check the pages where viewers are bouncing to see what you can change to make it more user-friendly. Don’t get us wrong, bounce rates aren’t always a bad thing. But, if you can get users to browse other pages on your site then that’s a pretty good sign you have great content.

Brand Building

Are you not on the brand building bandwagon yet? Well it’s time to jump on before your business gets left behind! Building a brand has always been important, but it is also a key factor in SEO this year. Google capabilities have improved tremendously, now allowing them to see where your brand name is mentioned in content. These mentions will help with your brand’s ranking. In addition, Google is able to see whether the mention is positive or negative, so if you have a negative review it can hurt your search ranking.

Running a business is a hard enough task by itself. It can be hard to find the time to focus on building your brand, creating meaningful content and truly focusing in on SEO. Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425.

So, you’ve launched your business’ website and it looks pretty good, right? However, just because you’re officially online doesn’t mean your work is done. Having a website is so much more than just, well, having a website. In order for your company to have a strong online presence, it is essential to keep your site’s content updated. Why is this so important and how can it affect your business? It may surprise you why you need to keep your website’s content updated regularly.

What is Website Content?

Your website’s content is more than just the biography section or your business hours. Content is everything, literally! It’s the text, pictures, sounds and any video or animation that makes your website more visually appealing. Basically, it’s all the aspects needed to grab hold of a user in order to keep them clicking throughout your site. These little things can make a potential customer spend more time on your website. That means they’re learning more about your business!

Professionally and Visually Appealing

First impressions are everything when it comes to your website. If your website appears out of date or cluttered, you may not receive as many clicks. Stay on top of website design trends by updating your site with the latest technology. A user may become turned off if the site is difficult to navigate or if the links are not functioning. The average person only looks at a website for four seconds before determining whether to keep reading or try another site.

Also, as your business evolves, it’s important to update content such as contact information, employees’ names, and the products and services you offer. Having the correct information gives a more professional appearance and will build confidence in your customer base.  

Updated Content Equals Better Search Rankings

Google is continuously updating its algorithms in order to enhance the search experience for its users. A website with relevant, up to date user-friendly content will rank higher in the search queries. Neglecting to update your content regularly will lower your rankings and may result in the loss of potential customers. A blog is a good source of content because it can be updated daily which can improve your rankings. Keywords can also be implemented which can improve your site’s onsite Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Increases Customer Base

Keeping your website’s content current and updated can help you grow your customer base. If your site has captured an audience, then people will be more likely to revisit once new content becomes available. More traffic to your website can also improve your search rankings. Google tends to reward frequently visited websites with a higher ranking in search results.

Your website is the window into your company and what services you offer. Having a website with updated content will not only increase your customer base but will extend your company’s digital reach. Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425.

Everywhere you look you can see an element of graphic design. It’s on the billboards we drive by, the websites we visit and the social media we scroll through daily. While your brand’s content needs to be creative and attention-grabbing, it should also maintain a professional appearance as well. Following these do’s and don’ts of graphic design will help your company increase its brand awareness and attract a bigger audience.

Do Make it Simple

Most graphic designers are taught not to leave too much white space on a graphic. However, the last thing you want to do is cover every inch of space of your design with text and pictures. Make your visual simplistic enough that it provides the necessary information without overwhelming the reader. To keep your design simple, use up to three different colors, font styles and pictures.

Do Your Research

Researching doesn’t have to take a lot of time but doing so makes a big impact on your graphic. Producing a design with false information will make you look untrustworthy and you could lose potential customers. Ensure you have all your questions answered and allow enough time for edits before you run a final proof.

Do Stay on Top of Design Trends

Social media is constantly evolving and designers have to move with it by creating content that is current with trends and styles. It is also important to pay attention to what is not popular as well so your graphics won’t look outdated.

Don’t Clutter Your Design

If you have a lot of ideas it may be tempting to put them all on one design. However, too much text, varying fonts, pictures and too many color combinations can make your design look cluttered. It can also be confusing and may turn off potential customers. Use only the applicable information and keep wording to a minimum if there is text.

Don’t Steal

One of the most important rules of graphic design is to not steal artwork, text or anything that has been used by another company or designer. Not only is it morally wrong but it could bring about legal ramifications. Purchasing a license from a design or image website is not only inexpensive but can save you a lot of time searching for images as well as a headache in the long run.

Maintain Consistency

If people are familiar with your brand’s look and style, it is important to stay consistent. Straying away from your company consistent image may confuse people. If you decide on a new logo design, introduce it to your audience instead of “dropping” on them without an explanation.

Creative and attention-grabbing content is essential to a successful marketing and advertising campaign for your company. An effective and easy to read visually will grab hold of a potential customer and help increase your brand’s awareness online and in the advertising world.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

The internet seems like a crowded place. Businesses stand elbow to elbow, in a query result that goes into the millions. As a local business owner, how can you stand out in the crowd? Optimizing your website with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the marketing tool you need to get your customers to find you.

Increases Website Traffic

A major benefit of SEO is that it helps produce higher website traffic from organic or natural search engine listings. People are more likely to click on the first results they see after a query and the right SEO can land you near the top. This could produce a huge return on investment for your web site or blog by merely increasing the number of people visiting your site.

Better Brand Awareness

With SEO, your website is likely to be among the first few search results people see after their query. The more people see your name, the more they are to recognize it and become aware of your business’s presence. Also, over time, they will become comfortable with your brand and you will gain their trust.

Brings in Target Audience

One of the best benefits of SEO is that it draws potential customers to you instead of you trying to find them. People who are looking for your product or service will see you listed at the top of their results. Thanks to the increased traffic your website will see, you are likely to see more potential customers. 

Creates a Better User Experience

Customers not only want the best products and services at the best prices, they also want a great experience. Optimizing your website will create a better user experience than a site that is not optimized. 

Improves Presence on Google

Broken links and slow page loading are just some of the elements that can affect your position on Google’s ranking ladder. If your site ranks low, chances are it won’t place high on the list. Google is the most used search option and you want your business seen by its users.

Increases Conversion Rate

Now, this may be the first time you’ve heard the term “conversion rate” and that’s ok! A conversion rate is a user’s journey within your website. The better the journey they have, the more likely they are to return to your site. To further your conversion rate, your website should load fast, be easy to navigate and load efficiently on digital devices like cell phones and tablets. Users will be more likely to return to a site that is easy to use and allows them to find what they need without all the jargon.

Help your business succeed by utilizing SEO to increase your profitability. With all the elements of SEO working together, consumers will be more aware of your company and the services you offer.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

The website has become today’s storefront. It’s the first place the public will go to check out your business. Who you are. What you do. How you do it. However, creating web content week after week can be challenging. From a rich blog to interactive content to new posts and pages – it can get daunting. But staying the course to keep your site robust is a must! How can skimpy web content hurt you?

Let’s take a look at 5 big ways skimpy web content can actually drive business away.

Competitive edge

No matter what type of business you are in, there is always competition. People have more choices than ever today as to where they spend their time, money and attention. Maintaining a website that is rich with content that provides valuable information gives you a competitive edge. Remember, if you aren’t doing this, your competitors are.

Repeat visitors

You can learn a lot from your analytics. Next time these are reviewed, take a look at the repeat visitors to your site. If this is an area of improvement, skimpy content is likely to blame. The average first visit to a page is only a few seconds. But the repeat visits last longer. You are essentially nurturing an audience when you provide full content that keeps them coming back. These repeat visitors can also become your ambassadors through word of mouth as well as social shares.

More information, please

Speaking of analytics, skimpy content will lead to skimpy analytics. The system just won’t have enough to pull from to tell you what you need to know. Ideally, analytics are pulled monthly to see the trends, sources, opportunities and more. If your site is neglected in terms of low content, sparse blog posts or outdated pages, you’ll get pretty skinny analytics that don’t help you like they really can.

Staying timely and relevant

In any industry, staying relevant is important. Skimpy content that doesn’t speak to the trends in your industry leaves your visitor wondering if yours is really the one with which they want to do business. If you’ve ever visited a site that looked really outdated or neglected, you know what we mean.

Google rankings

Search Engine Optimization is the key to landing first-page ranking on engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo. Of course, AdWords helps. Sometimes purchasing AdWords isn’t feasible at the time. This is where keyword strategy comes in. Skimpy content that is simply flat words on a page with no thought behind them hurts your business. Google will pass these over quickly in favor of keyword dense sites that follow the buyer’s journey. One or more of these sites will be your competitor.

These are five real ways skimpy content hurts you. Taking it on yourself can be too challenging. Our Southern View Media experts are trained in all the above and more to build rich content that drives your audience. Give us a call today!

Your online presence is too important to let it become obsolete. If you are managing threats from competitors SEO, you can take care of any problem before it becomes irreversible. Call Southern View Media to find out how we can help with your business’ digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic marketing plan call us today at 251-583-2605 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.

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